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Description
The New Beginning - Sectoral Innovations for Proactive, Progressive and Influential Human Rights Civil Society project aims to establish sustainable and innovative models for effective protection and promotion of human rights through: institutional and legal advocacy, support for victims of human rights violations, public communication and mobilization of citizens. It aims to increase the social and political influence of human rights organizations in response to declining human rights standards in Croatia, deteriorating socio-economic situation and the institutional inertia in finding rights-based solutions to today''s complex political and socio-economic challenges. The project responds to the most significant structural challenges human rights organizations face. Those challenges affect the entire civil sector and negatively affect the capacity for institutional and legal advocacy, legal aid, public communication and mobilization of citizens for human rights issues. Project’s sectoral innovation is based on partnership, participation and lessons learned, as well as on an objective view of the sectoral challenges and problems followed by a joint strategy definition and formulation of concrete steps to overcome them. The innovation aims to establish a long-term structural CSOs cooperation to strengthen their sustainability and influence, encourage synergies and interconnections of advocacy and direct work with vulnerable groups and communities. This project will build the capacity of human rights organizations and find innovative solutions to strengthen their advocacy and legal support for victims, to support their work with citizens and local communities thus creating the necessary preconditions for changing the paradigm from reactive to proactive - from defense of human rights to active advocacy for their expansion and promotion.
Summary of project results
The project was born out of a recognition of the numerous hurdles that civil society organizations (CSOs) faced in their quest to create meaningful social and political change. Over time, these organizations had become adept at advocating for human rights and providing support to vulnerable groups, but they often operated in silos, struggling with limited resources, outdated work patterns, and insufficient public engagement. The need for a transformational shift in their approach had become evident.
At the heart of the project was a commitment to strengthen the capacities and sustainability of CSOs by building a foundation of collaboration and innovation. One of the primary challenges was the fragmentation within the sector. Smaller organizations lacked the resources and expertise to amplify their voices, while larger organizations sometimes struggled to connect with local communities. The project sought to bridge this divide, fostering partnerships that combined strengths and shared resources for greater impact.
Another key issue was the lack of innovative tools and methods for advocacy. Traditional approaches were no longer sufficient in a rapidly changing social and political landscape. To address this, the project introduced cutting-edge strategies such as design thinking and values-based framing, empowering CSOs to craft narratives that resonated deeply with the public and mobilized citizens around shared goals. Workshops and training sessions provided the skills needed to communicate effectively and create unified messages that could rally both the sector and the wider community.
The project also focused on the challenges faced by vulnerable and marginalized groups. Many victims of human rights violations were not receiving the support they needed due to gaps in systemic approaches. By introducing sustainable legal advocacy models and innovative resource-sharing mechanisms, the project aimed to provide lasting and meaningful support for these individuals.
To ensure the project’s long-term impact, it emphasized ownership by the sector itself. Through a robust consultative process, CSOs identified their most pressing needs and collaboratively designed interventions tailored to their unique contexts. This participatory approach not only strengthened the solutions but also ensured that the changes would endure beyond the project’s lifecycle.
Ultimately, the project sought to reimagine how CSOs operate, collaborate, and engage. By addressing entrenched patterns and building a culture of innovation and partnership, the project laid the groundwork for a stronger, more unified civil society capable of adapting to change and driving progress for human rights and democratic values.
The New beginning project undertook a wide range of activities designed to strengthen the protection and promotion of human rights in Croatia, with a focus on building capacities, fostering collaboration, and developing innovative approaches for civil society organizations (CSOs).
At its core, the project began with research and the development of new advocacy strategies, setting the stage for coordinated actions aimed at raising the capacities of CSOs. A significant step in this process was the establishment of the Knowledge Base for Human Rights CSOs, which equipped organizations with factual and rights-based advocacy tools. Through the Advocacy Coordination Mechanism, CSOs collaborated on domestic and international advocacy efforts, including submitting reports and statements to human rights mechanisms, ensuring that resources were directed toward collective goals.
To address the need for specialized expertise, the project created a Human Rights Legal Network. This initiative supported legal advocacy by organizing trainings for lawyers, enabling them to deepen their knowledge and skills in defending human rights, refugee rights, transitional justice, and peacebuilding. Additionally, a robust internship program brought together students from law, social work, public administration, and political science to enhance their practical understanding and prepare the next generation of human rights advocates.
Community-oriented activities played a pivotal role in the project. Workshops employing design thinking methodology empowered participants to find innovative solutions to challenges faced by citizens and CSOs alike. These workshops brought together diverse stakeholders—youth, citizens, and marginalized groups like people with autism—and provided them with tools to collaborate and co-create solutions. Recognizing that such training is often prohibitively expensive, the project offered it to CSOs free of charge, along with a practical handbook to ensure the methodology’s future application.
The project also addressed the specific needs of marginalized groups, such as the Roma community. By tailoring its activities to the requirements of these organizations, the project demonstrated a commitment to adaptability and responsiveness. A notable success was the “Život uživo” podcast series, which brought critical and often-overlooked human rights issues into public discourse, expanding the conversation to topics rarely covered in mainstream media.
Finally, the project fostered collaboration between larger national CSOs and smaller, locally-focused ones. This effort not only strengthened the sector but also encouraged a culture of mutual support and resource-sharing, paving the way for sustainable and impactful advocacy.
Through its multifaceted activities, the Novi početak project built a stronger, more connected civil society capable of protecting and promoting human rights in Croatia while inspiring new ways to engage communities and tackle systemic challenges.
The project achieved several significant results targeting civil society organizations (CSOs) for human rights in Croatia, strengthening their capacities and fostering innovation in advocacy and communication. Here''s an overview of the results:
Key Achievements:
Capacity Building for Evidence-Based Advocacy:
- Conducted research to identify the needs of CSOs working on human rights and developed innovative solutions to enhance their impact.
- Implemented educational activities and created a knowledge base to strengthen CSOs'' capacity for fact-based and rights-based advocacy.
Coordination for International and European Advocacy:
- Established a coordination mechanism for international and European advocacy.
- Fostered synergy and partnerships among CSOs for joint advocacy activities directed at international stakeholders.
Strengthening Legal Advocacy:
- Delivered educational activities for legal professionals and CSOs, enhancing their ability to use legal instruments for human rights advocacy.
- Established the Human Rights Lawyers Network to promote collaboration, continuous education, and professional development.
Internship Program Expansion:
- Initially designed for law students, the program was expanded to include students of social law, public administration, and political science due to low participation from law students.
- Despite challenges related to legal constraints for lawyers working in CSOs, the program attracted motivated legal professionals committed to advancing human rights.
Social Innovation through Design Thinking:
- Mapped CSOs in three Croatian regions and conducted training sessions for trainers to independently implement Design Thinking workshops.
- These workshops equipped participants with skills to address community challenges and mobilize citizens effectively.
Communication and Networking:
- Organized capacity-building workshops for public communication and established peer support mechanisms like mailing lists and Discord groups.
- Addressed the specific needs of marginalized groups, such as Roma organizations, with targeted communication training.
Research and Recommendations:
- Conducted research on legal support for victims of human rights violations and developed recommendations for systemic improvements.
- Published findings on the visibility, impact, and challenges of human rights CSOs, forming a basis for future measures.
Knowledge Base Development:
- Launched a knowledge base to store and share resources, facilitating ongoing advocacy and education.
Public Engagement and Narrative Development:
- Developed narratives to connect human rights issues with broader public interest, involving citizens, journalists, and communication experts.
- Created guidelines for building narratives and communication strategies tailored to each CSO''s needs.
Innovation in Advocacy and Mobilization:
- Conducted community-focused workshops using Design Thinking, enhancing citizen mobilization for human rights issues.
- Produced podcasts and established a communication lab to improve public discourse on human rights topics.
Holistic Education on Advocacy:
- Delivered multi-level, evidence-based advocacy training addressing socio-economic rights at local, national, and international levels.
Challenges and Lessons Learned:
- Resource Constraints: Inflation and budget limitations required adjustments in research activities and focus group testing.
- Engagement Issues: Lower-than-expected participation in some activities highlighted the need for flexible scheduling and tailored approaches.
- Sector-Specific Needs: Roma organizations required more comprehensive training, which was addressed through customized workshops.
Conclusion:
The project significantly enhanced the capacity, sustainability, and visibility of human rights CSOs in Croatia. It provided tools, networks, and frameworks for effective advocacy, legal support, and public engagement, laying the foundation for systemic improvements and long-term impact in the sector.
Summary of bilateral results
The contribution of the Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) from Oslo is significant in strengthening the coordination and advocacy efforts for human rights within the project. Key contributions include:Expertise and Experience:HRHF brings over 25 years of experience in fostering and strengthening national advocacy coalitions of civil society organizations (CSOs) working on human rights. This expertise is essential for the establishment and effective functioning of the informal coordination for international and European advocacy.Strategic Support:With offices in Oslo, Geneva (covering the United Nations), and Brussels (covering the Council of Europe and the EU), HRHF provides comprehensive support and insights for leveraging international and European advocacy mechanisms. This enables better planning and execution of advocacy opportunities within institutions such as the UN, Council of Europe, EU, and OSCE.Capacity Building and Collaboration:HRHF supports KLJP Zagreb in organizing the work of the coordination, including drafting advocacy plans, implementation strategies, and improving communication channels. Their involvement ensures a structured and impactful approach to advocacy.Sustained Engagement:Beyond the project''s duration, HRHF will continue to collaborate with KLJP Zagreb to support advocacy activities, ensuring long-term impact and sustainability of the coordination''s work.In summary, HRHF''s experience, resources, and commitment significantly enhance the quality of advocacy coordination, contributing to systemic improvements in human rights advocacy at national, European, and international levels.